Allergies no longer have to prevent pet ownership. By taking a few simple precautionary steps, it is possible to comfortably live with both pets and allergies. Here are a few helpful tips:

• Shut the door.

Keep cats or dogs from your bedroom - and not just when you are sleeping. If you keep the door closed, it will prevent cat or dog hair from drifting in during the day.

• Keep pets off the furniture.

You can do this by placing a plastic cover on the furniture or by placing pieces of aluminum foil on areas where pets settle. They find the noise disturbing.

• Ditch the carpets.

Pet hair tends to stick to carpets, especially soft, shaggy carpet. Try area rugs on tile or wood floors. They are convenient because they are portable and usually machine washable.

• Bathe pets.

Use an allergen-reducing shampoo and clean dogs at least twice a week.

• Clean the air.

Remove irritants with an air cleaner that has a HEPA filter.

• Vacuum and dust frequently.

Use a vacuum designed especially for pet owners. The recently-introduced Cat & Dog vacuum, by Miele, is built with a sealed system designed to prevent dirt, dust and allergens from escaping back into the air.